Twice upon a time in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 25 October 2015

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Reviewed at National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Prague on 22 October 2015

Stravinsky, Le Rossignol (The Nightingale)

Tchaikovsky, Iolanta

Czech National Opera and Chorus

Jan Latham-Koenig, Conductor

Dominik Beneš, Director

Martin Černý, Set Designer

Zuzana Přidalová, Costume Designer

Olga Jelínková, Nightingale

Yukiko Kinjo, Cook

Stanislava Jirků, Death

Josef Moravec, Fisherman, Alméric

Pavel Švingr, Chamberlain, Bertrand

Jan Šťáva, Bonze

Aleš Jenis, Emperor, Robert

Veronika Dzhioeva, Iolanta

Aljaž Farasin, Vaudémont

Yevhen Shokalo, King René

Yvona Škvárová, Martha

Vladimir Chmelo, Ibn-Hakia

Prague National Theatre Orchestra

A disappointing Cunning Little Vixen in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 29th April

The National Theatre in Prague should be the second-best place in the world to see Leoš Janáček's charming opera The Cunning Little Vixen. But its current production, new in the repertoire this season, is such a disappointment.

***11

Singing carries the show in new Prague Ballo

Frank Kuznik, 5th October

The National Theatre opens its new season with a Verdi favorite short on substance but lovely to hear.

***11

Irish National Opera’s new Rusalka intrigues more than it convinces

Andrew Larkin, 22nd March

Netia Jones’ modern reimagining intrigues more than it convinces, but still makes a strong case for Dvořák’s dark fairy tale.

***11

Billy Budd, or the Triumph of Beauty at the Opéra de Lyon

Stéphane Lelièvre, 21st March

The Opéra de Lyon presents Britten’s masterpiece for the first time: a triumph, both visually and musically, which is received with great enthusiasm by the audience.

****1

Magnifying Glass: a magnificent Les Enfants terribles in Lille

Elena Luporini, 20th March

A new production of Les Enfants terribles at the Opéra de Lille drags the audience into a terribly marvelous labyrinth, courtesy of conductor Virginie Déjos and directors Matthias Piro and Lisa Moro.

*****

Opera Australia’s Eugene Onegin shines musically

Sandra Bowdler, 17th March

Eugene Onegin returns to the Sydney Opera house in Kasper Holten’s slightly awkward production but the singing and orchestral playing are exemplary.

****1

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Frank Kuznik

Frank Kuznik is the former Editor-in-Chief and Culture Editor of The Prague Post, Central Europe’s premier English-language weekly newspaper. He currently divides his time between Prague and his hometown in the US, Cleveland, where he covers northeast Ohio's dynamic classical music scene. In Prague he is an habitué of the Rudolfinum, National Theater, State Opera and other storied classical music venues, and an unabashed fan of Czech music.

Twice upon a time: Le Rossignol and Iolanta in Prague